Work machine having a radial and vertical lift path with an interchangeable boom assembly pivot

ABSTRACT

A work machine including a mainframe, an operator cab coupled to the mainframe and a boom assembly. The mainframe extends in a fore-aft direction. The operator cab may be coupled to the mainframe. The boom assembly is movably coupled to the mainframe at a boom assembly pivot wherein the boom assembly may move between a retracted position and an extended position. The boom assembly pivot is located aft of the operator cab and is commonly positioned for both a vertical lift boom assembly and a radial lift boom assembly. In another embodiment, the boom assembly pivot interchangeably accommodates a vertical lift boom assembly and a radial lift boom assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates work machines with boom assemblies havingone or more of a radial lift path and vertical lift path as applied toskid steers and compact track loaders.

BACKGROUND

Work machines, such as skid steers and compact tract loaders are used inmultiple environments and for multiple applications because of theirsmall size, versatility, and maneuverability. Depending on the specificapplication, the work machine may benefit from a boom assembly witheither a radial lift path or a vertical lift path. The boom arms of theboom assembly may be coupled to the mainframe of the work machine wherethe portion of the boom arm coupled to the attachment can be raised andlowered at the operator's command either vertically or radially. In oneexemplary scenario, a work machine with a fork-lift type attachment maybenefit from a boom assembly with a vertical lift path. Radial liftpaths are often adequate for several other applications such as movingmaterials with a bucket type attachment. Manufacturers currently providework machine configurations with mainframes and linkages that functioneither with a radial lift or a vertical lift, but not both. That is, theboom assemblies are restricted to move along a single, pre-defined path.This can be costlier than necessary with the creation of two differentsubcomponent designs for each type. Therein lies a need for an improvedwork machine with accommodations for more than one type boom assemblywherein each boom assembly travels along a different path whilemaintaining the operating capacity and reach. Furthermore, therein liesan opportunity for improvements to enhance productivity.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the detailed description and accompanyingdrawings. This summary is not intended to identify key or essentialfeatures of the appended claims, nor is it intended to be used as an aidin determining the scope of the appended claims.

The present disclosure includes a work machine including a mainframe, anoperator cab coupled to the mainframe and a boom assembly.

The mainframe extends in a fore-aft direction. The operator cab may becoupled to the mainframe. The boom assembly is movably coupled to themainframe at a boom assembly pivot wherein the boom assembly may movebetween a retracted position and an extended position. The boom assemblypivot is located aft of the operator cab and is commonly positioned forboth a vertical lift boom assembly and a radial lift boom assembly. Inanother embodiment, the boom assembly pivot interchangeably accommodatesa vertical lift boom assembly and a radial lift boom assembly.

In a first embodiment of a work machine with a vertical lift boomassembly, the mainframe includes a pair of supports supporting the boomassembly. The pair of supports are positioned on each side of themainframe and aft of the operator cab. The pair of supports may alsoextend upwardly from and terminate at an upper end located substantiallyabove a support surface of the mainframe, and below a line of sight ofan operator seated in the operator cab. In one embodiment, the boomassembly pivot may be positioned on an upper portion of the support. Thepair of supports may be located fore of an air intake access wherein theair intake access is positioned on each side of the mainframe.

The vertical lift boom assembly may comprise of a pair of boom armspositioned on each side of the mainframe. Each boom arm includes a foreportion and a rear portion. The rear portion includes a prong with afirst portion and a second portion. The fore portion is for coupling toan attachment. A pair of first links are positioned on each side of themainframe. The first link is coupled to the first portion of the prongand the mainframe. The pair of second links extend in an uprightdirection on each side of the mainframe. The second link may be coupledto the second portion of the prong and the boom assembly pivot. A pairof actuators are position on each side of the mainframe coupled to theboom arm at or near the prong of the boom arm and the mainframe, whereinthe extension of the actuator lifts the fore portion of the boom arm.The fore portion follows a vertical lift path when the actuators movebetween a retracted position and an extended position. The first linkremains below the boom arm when moving between the retracted state andthe extended state. The coupling of the prong and the second link createa visibility window.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the secondembodiment of the boom assembly includes a radial lift boom assembly.The radial lift boom assembly includes a pair of boom arms extending inthe fore-aft direction positioned on each side of the mainframe and apair of actuators. Each boom arm may include a fore portion and a rearportion. The rear portion may be coupled to the mainframe at the boomassembly pivot, and the fore portion may be used for coupling anattachment. The fore portion follows a radial lift path when the boomassembly moves between a retracted position and an extended position. Apair of actuators extend in the fore-aft direction are positioned oneach side of the mainframe. The actuator is coupled to the support andthe fore portion of the boom arm wherein extension of the actuator liftsthe fore portion of the boom arm. The pair of actuators are positionedbelow the boom arm when moving between the retracted position and theextended position. The boom assembly may comprise of a double shearjoint. The boom assembly is absent a row bar.

In another aspect of the disclosure according to a second embodiment,the work machine includes a mainframe extending in a fore-aft direction,an operator cab, and a boom assembly pivot wherein the boom assemblypivot interchangeably accommodates a vertical lift boom assembly and aradial lift boom assembly. The vertical lift boom assembly for thisembodiment include boom arms extending in a fore-aft directionpositioned on each side of the mainframe. A pair of first vertical linksare positioned on each side. Each first vertical link is coupled to therear portion of boom arm on one end and the boom assembly pivot on theother end. A pair of second vertical lift links are positioned on eachside. Each second vertical lift link is coupled to the rear portion ofthe boom arm on one end and an upward portion of the mainframe and belowa line of sight of an operator seated in the operator cab on the otherend. A pair of actuators are positioned on each side of the mainframe.Each actuator is coupled to the boom arm and the mainframe, wherein theextension of the actuator lifts the fore portion of the boom arm.Coupling of the actuator, boom arm, and second vertical lift linkcreates a visibility window. In this embodiment, the first vertical liftlink, the second vertical lift link, and the actuator are positionedbelow the boom arm when moving between the retracted state and theextended state.

In another aspect of the disclosure according to the second embodiment,the radial lift boom assembly for this embodiment includes a pair ofupward extending supports positioned on each side of the mainframe andaft of the operator cab. Each support is fixedly coupled to themainframe at the boom assembly pivot wherein the upper portion of eachsupport terminates below a line of sight of an operator seated in theoperator cab. A pair of boom arms extend in the fore-aft directionpositioned on each side of the mainframe. The rear portion of the boomarm is pivotably coupled to the upper portion of the support. The foreportion is for coupling to an attachment. The fore portion follows aradial lift path when the boom assembly moves between a retractedposition and an extended position. A pair of actuators are coupled to alower portion of the support and the fore portion of the boom armwherein extension of the actuator lifts the fore portion of the boomarm.

These and other features will become apparent from the followingdetailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein various featuresare shown and described by way of illustration. The present disclosureis capable of other and different configurations and its several detailsare capable of modification in various other respects, all withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, thedetailed description and accompanying drawings are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not as restrictive or limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings refers to the accompanyingfigures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a work machine with avertical lift boom assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of the first embodiment from FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective back view of the first embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a first embodiment of a work machine with aradial lift boom assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of the first embodiment from FIG. 7;

FIG. 6 is a perspective back view of the first embodiment in FIG. 7;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of a work machine with avertical lift boom assembly;

FIG. 8 is a perspective front view of the second embodiment from FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a perspective back view of the second embodiment from FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a second embodiment of a work machine with aradial lift boom assembly;

FIG. 11 is a perspective front view of the second embodiment from FIG.10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective back view of the second embodiment from FIG.10;

FIG. 13 is graph demonstrating the normalized lift force as compared tocurrent Deere compact track loaders.

Like reference numerals are used to indicate like elements throughoutthe several figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments disclosed in the above drawings and the followingdetailed description are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thedisclosure to these embodiments. Rather, there are several variationsand modifications which may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure.

As used herein, unless otherwise limited or modified, lists withelements that are separated by conjunctive terms (e.g., “and”) and thatare also preceded by the phrase “one or more of” or “at least one of”indicate configurations or arrangements that potentially includeindividual elements of the list, or any combination thereof. Forexample, “at least one of A, B, and C” or “one or more of A, B, and C”indicates the possibilities of only A, only B, only C, or anycombination of two or more of A, B, and C (e.g., A and B; B and C; A andC; or A, B, and C).

FIGS. 1 through 12 illustrate a work machine 100 (100 a, 100 b, 100 c,and 100 d) depicted as a compact track loader with an attachment 105operatively coupled to the work machine 100. It should be understood,however, that the work machine could be one of many types of workmachines, including a skid steer, and other similar construction oragricultural work machines. The work machine 100 as shown, has amainframe 110 extending in a fore-aft direction 115, having a front-endsection 120, or portion, and a rear-end section, or portion 125. Thework machine 100 includes a ground-engaging mechanism 155 that supportsthe mainframe 110 and an operator cab 160 supported on the mainframe 110wherein the ground-engaging mechanism 155 is configured to support themainframe 110 on a surface 135.

Work machine 100 may be operated to engage the surface 135 and cut,move, lift, and carry material to achieve simple or complex features onthe surface, or harvesting resources.

The work machine 100 comprises a boom assembly 170 movably coupled tothe mainframe 110. An attachment 105, or work tool, may be pivotallycoupled at a fore portion 175 of the boom assembly 170, while a rearportion 180 of the boom assembly 170 is pivotally coupled to themainframe 110 at a boom assembly pivot 197. The boom assembly of theexemplary embodiments, comprises a pair of boom arms 190 (one each on aleft side and a right side) and is movable between a retracted position193 and an extended position 195 (as shown in the dotted lines)including positions therebetween (again as shown in the dotted line).The boom assembly pivot 197 is located aft of the operator cab 160 andis commonly positioned for both a vertical lift boom assembly 203 (shownin FIGS. 1-3, 7-9) and a radial lift boom assembly 205 (FIGS. 4-6,10-12). That is, as the boom arms 190 are raised through actuation ofthe actuators 207, an attachment (shown here as a bucket) coupled to thefore portion 175 of the boom assembly 170 will move along either amostly vertical lift path 210 or a radial lift path 212. allowing for acommon mainframe 110 for both types of work machines. In someembodiments, the boom assembly pivot 197 may interchangeably accommodatethe vertical lift boom assembly 203 and the radial lift boom assembly205. In other embodiments, the mainframe 110 (which includes the boomassembly pivot 195) may interchangeably accommodate the vertical liftboom assembly 203 and the radial lift boom assembly 205.

The attachment 105 may be coupled to the boom assembly 170 through anattachment coupler (not identified). One exemplary attachment coupler,often referred to as Deere and Company's Quik-Tatch, is an industrystandard configuration and a coupler universally applicable to manyDeere attachments and several after-market attachments. The attachmentcoupler is coupled to the fore portion 175 of the boom assembly 170.

FIGS. 1 through 3 exhibit a first embodiment of a work machine 100 awith a vertical lift boom assembly 203. This embodiment 100 a shares acommon boom assembly pivot 197 with FIGS. 4 through 6 exhibiting a firstembodiment of a work machine 100 b with a radial lift boom assembly.FIGS. 7 through 9 exhibit a second embodiment 100 c with a vertical liftboom assembly 203 which shares a common boom assembly pivot 197 withFIGS. 10 through 12 exhibiting the second embodiment 100 d with a radiallift boom assembly 205.

Now turning to FIGS. 1 through 6, the mainframe 110 of the work machineincludes a pair of supports 215 supporting the boom assembly 170. Thepair of supports 215 (located on each a left side and right side) arepositioned on each side of the mainframe 110 and aft of the operator cab160. The pair of supports 215 extend upwardly from and terminate at anupper end located substantially above a support surface 220 of themainframe 110 and below a line of sight of the operator seated in theoperator cab 160. The boom assembly pivot 197 is positioned on an upperportion 222 of the support 215. The pair of supports 215 are locatedfore of the air intake access 225 wherein the air intake access ispositioned on each side of the mainframe 110, thereby improving ease ofaccess and reducing maintenance time. In conventional configurations,the air intake access may be restrictive and limit accessibility formaintenance and repair wherein access is limited to only a rear surface230 of the work machine. Enabling air intake access on the sides inaddition to the rear of the work machine (as shown), advantageouslyimproves cooling and serviceability.

As shown in the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 through 3, the vertical liftboom assembly 203 (i.e. the lift path 210 is substantially vertical whenthe boom assembly 170 moves between a retracted position 193 and anextended position 195 wherein the extended position 195 is shown in thedotted lines) includes a pair of boom arms 190 extending in a fore-aftdirection 115 on each side of the mainframe 110. Each boom arm 190includes a fore portion 175 and a rear portion 180. The rear portion 180includes a prong 235 with a first portion 240 and a second portion 245.The fore portion 175 of the boom arms 190 is for coupling to anattachment 105. A pair of first links 250 are positioned on each side ofthe mainframe 110. The first link 250 is coupled to the first portion240 of the prong 235, and the mainframe 110, or more specifically theportion of the mainframe 110 located below the operator cab 160. A pairof second links 255 extend in an upright direction 117 on each side ofthe mainframe 110. The second link 255 is coupled to the second portion245 of the prong 235, and the mainframe 110, or more specifically thesupport 215 at or near the boom assembly pivot 197. A pair of actuators207 are positioned on each side of the mainframe 110 coupled to eachrespective boom arm 190 at or near the prong 235 of the boom arm 190 andthe area of the mainframe 110 below the operator cab 160. Thisconfiguration results in lifting the fore portion 175 of the boom arm190 as the actuator 207 is extended. The first link 250, advantageously,remains below the boom arm 190 when moving between the retractedposition 193 and the extended position 195, thereby optimizingvisibility for the operator. Additionally, the prong 235 of the boom arm190, or more specifically the first portion 240 and the second portion245 of the prong 235, coupled to a first end 260 and second end 265 ofthe second link 255 create a visibility window 270. That is thevisibility window 270 improves the visibility clearance for theoperator, which has generally partially or completely been obstructed bylinkage, hydraulics, joints and row bars in conventional work machines.Absence of the row bar 275 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3) clears thevisual path when moving in reverse. A row bar 275 is a structuralcoupling of the boom arms 190 in a direction perpendicular orsubstantially perpendicular to the fore-aft direction 115. Inconventional configurations, the row bar 275 provides support in variouslinkage configurations with taller heights. That is, the attachment 105may be lifted higher when the actuators 207 extend when the linkageconfiguration is taller (generally obstructing an operator's view). FIG.13 demonstrates improved lift path heights and lift capacities for theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 1-3, even though a row bar 275 remainsabsent.

Furthermore, the boom assembly pivot comprises a double shear joint.Additionally, all rear joints are double shear joints thereby improvingthe robustness of the work machine by reducing side deflection.Conventional designs use a cantilever type joint which requiresrelatively larger pins and heavier structure to achieve a similar sidedeflection.

Now turning to FIGS. 4-6, a first embodiment of a work machine 100 bcomprising a radial lift boom assembly 205 is shown. The radial liftboom assembly 205 comprises of a pair of boom arms 190 extending in thefore-aft direction 115 positioned on each side of the mainframe 110.Each boom arm 190 includes a fore portion 175 and a rear portion 180.The rear portion 180 is coupled to the mainframe 110 at the boomassembly pivot 197. The fore portion 175, for coupling to an attachment105, follows a radial lift path 212 when the boom assembly 170 movesbetween a retracted position 193 and an extended position 195 (as shownby the dotted lines). A pair of actuators 207 extend in the fore-aftdirection 115 (or substantially in the fore-aft direction) and arepositioned on each side of the mainframe 110. The actuator 207 iscoupled to the support 215 and the fore portion 175 of the boom arm 190wherein extension of the actuator 207 lifts the fore portion 175 of theboom arm 190. In the embodiment shown, the pair of actuators 207 arepositioned below the boom arm 190 when moving between the retractedposition 193 and the extended position 195. Similar to the work machineembodiment 100 a in FIGS. 1-3, the work machine embodiment 100 b alsodoes not require row bar 275.

FIGS. 7 through 9 and FIGS. 10 through 12 show a second embodiment (100c, 100 d) of a work machine. The work machine 100 c comprises of amainframe 110 extending in fore-aft direction 115, an operator cab 160coupled to the mainframe 110, a boom assembly 170, and a boom assemblypivot 197. The boom assembly 170, pivotably coupled to the mainframe110, is movable between a retracted position 193 (shown in the solidlines) and an extended position 195 (shown in the dotted lines). Theboom assembly pivot 197 in the second embodiment is located aft of theoperator cab 160 wherein the boom assembly pivot 197 is commonlypositioned for both a vertical lift boom assembly 203 and a radial liftboom assembly 205, allowing for a common mainframe 110 for both types ofwork machines. In some embodiments, the boom assembly pivot mayinterchangeably accommodate the vertical lift boom assembly 203 and theradial lift boom assembly 205. In other embodiments, the mainframe 110may interchangeably accommodate the accommodate the vertical lift boomassembly 203 and the radial lift boom assembly 205.

FIGS. 7-9 show a work machine 100 c with a vertical lift boom assembly203. The vertical lift boom assembly 203 comprises of a pair of boomarms 190 extending in a fore-aft direction 115 positioned on each sideof the mainframe 110, a pair of first vertical lift links 750 positionedon each side, a pair of second vertical lift links 755 positioned oneach side, and a pair of actuators 207 positioned on each side. Eachfirst vertical lift link 750 is coupled to the rear portion 180 of theboom arm 190 on one end, and the boom assembly pivot 197 on the otherend. Each second vertical lift link 755 (shown in hidden dotted lines)is coupled to the rear portion 180 of the boom arm 190 on one end and anupward portion of the mainframe 110 while remaining below a line ofsight 185 of an operator seated in the operator cab 160 on the otherend. Extension of the actuators 207 lift the fore portion 175 of theboom arm 190.

Coupling of the actuator 207, boom arm 190, and the second vertical liftlink 755 creates a visibility window 270.

In this second embodiment, the first vertical lift link 750, the secondvertical lift link 755, and the actuator 207 are positioned below theboom arm 190 when moving between the retracted position 193 and theextended position 195. The boom assembly pivot 197 may comprise of adouble shear joint 232. Additionally, all rear joints are double shearjoints thereby improving the robustness of the work machine by reducingside deflection. Conventional designs use a cantilever type joint whichrequires relatively larger pins and heavier structure to achieve asimilar side deflection.

FIGS. 10-12 show the second embodiment for a work machine 100 d with aradial lift boom assembly 205, wherein the boom assembly pivot 197 iscommonly positioned with the boom assembly pivot 197 of the secondembodiment with the vertical lift boom assembly 203. The radial liftboom assembly 205 comprises a pair of upward extending supports 215positioned on each side of the mainframe 110 and aft of the operator cab160. Each support 215 is fixedly coupled to the mainframe 110 at theboom assembly pivot 197. Note the supports 215 may be considered aseither a portion of the mainframe 110 or the boom assembly 170. Theupper portion of each support 222 terminates below a line of sight 185of an operator seated in the operator cab 160.

In this embodiment, the pair of boom arms 190 extend in the fore-aftdirection 115 positioned on each side of the mainframe 110 wherein eachboom arm 190 includes a fore portion 175 and a rear portion 180. Therear portion 180 is pivotably coupled to the upper portion 222 of thesupport 215. The fore portion 175 of the boom arm 190 is for coupling toan attachment 105. The fore portion 175 follows a radial lift path 212when the boom assembly 170 moves between a retracted position 193 and anextended position 195. A pair of actuators 207, extending in thefore-aft direction 115, and positioned on each side the mainframe 110.Each actuator 207 is coupled to the lower portion of the support and thefore portion 175 of the boom arm wherein extension of the actuator 207lifts the fore portion 207 of the boom arm 190. The pair of actuators207 and supports 215 remain below the boom arm 190 when moving betweenthe retracted position and the extended position, advantageouslyimproving visibility for the operator.

The pair of actuators 207 and the upward extending supports 215 arepositioned fore of an air intake access when moving between theretracted position 193 and the extended position 195 (shown by thedotted lines). Enabling air intake access on the sides in addition tothe rear of the work machine (as shown), advantageously improves coolingand serviceability.

The boom assembly 170 is absent a row bar 275. A row bar 275conventionally couples the boom arms in a direction perpendicular to thefore-aft direction to provide support.

Now turning to FIG. 13, a graph demonstrating the normalized lift forceas compared to current configurations, or more specifically currentDeere compact track loaders, is shown. The normalized lift force curvedetail results from the first embodiment in comparison to current Deerecompact track loaders. The first embodiment allows maintenance of theinitial break out force till 75% of the light height and continues tomaintain more than the 75% breakout force till more than 90% of liftheight, thereby advantageously improving productivity in high liftapplications.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments or implementations and is not intended to be limiting of thedisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the any use ofthe terms “has,” “have,” “having,” “include,” “includes,” “including,”“comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or the like, in thisspecification, identifies the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but does not precludethe presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The references “A” and “B” used with reference numerals herein aremerely for clarification when describing multiple implementations of anapparatus.

One or more of the steps or operations in any of the methods, processes,or systems discussed herein may be omitted, repeated, or re-ordered andare within the scope of the present disclosure.

While the above describes example embodiments of the present disclosure,these descriptions should not be viewed in a restrictive or limitingsense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which maybe made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A work machine comprising: a mainframe extendingin a fore-aft direction; an operator cab coupled to the mainframe; aboom assembly movably coupled to the mainframe at a boom assembly pivot,the boom assembly movable between a retracted position and an extendedposition; wherein the boom assembly pivot is located aft of the operatorcab, the boom assembly pivot interchangeably accommodating a verticallift boom assembly and a radial lift boom assembly.
 2. The work machineof claim 1, wherein the vertical boom assembly comprises: a pair of boomarms extending in a fore-aft direction positioned on each side of themainframe, each boom arm including a fore portion and a rear portion; apair of first vertical lift links positioned on each side, each firstvertical link coupled to the rear portion of boom arm on one end and theboom assembly pivot on the other end; a pair of second vertical liftlinks positioned on each side, each second vertical lift link coupled tothe rear portion of the boom arm on one end and an upward portion of themain frame and below a line of sight of an operator seated in theoperator cab on the other end; and a pair of actuators positioned oneeach side of the mainframe coupled to the boom arm and the main frame,wherein the extension of the actuator lifts the fore portion of the boomarm.
 3. The work machine of claim 1, wherein coupling of the actuator,boom arm, and second vertical lift link creates a visibility window. 4.The work machine of claim 1, wherein the first vertical lift link, thesecond vertical lift link, and the actuator are positioned below theboom arm when moving between the retracted state and the extended state.5. The work machine of claim 1, wherein the boom assembly pivotcomprises a double shear joint.
 6. The work machine of claim 1, whereinthe radial lift boom assembly comprises: a pair of upward extendingsupports positioned on each side of the mainframe and aft of theoperator cab, each upward extending support fixedly coupled to themainframe at the boom assembly pivot wherein the upper portion of eachsupport terminates below a line of sight of an operator seated in theoperator cab; a pair of boom arms extending in the fore-aft directionpositioned on each side of the mainframe, each boom arm including a foreportion and a rear portion, the rear portion coupled pivotably coupledto the upper portion of the support, and the fore portion for couplingto an attachment, the fore portion following a radial lift path when theboom assembly moves between a retracted position and an extendedposition; and a pair of actuators extending in the fore-aft directionpositioned on each side of the mainframe, each actuator coupled to alower portion of the support and the fore portion of the boom armwherein extension of the actuator lifts the fore portion of the boomarm.
 7. The work machine of claim 6, wherein the pair of actuators andthe upward extending supports are positioned below the boom arm whenmoving between the retracted position and the extended position.
 8. Thework machine of claim 6, wherein the pair of actuators and the upwardextending supports are positioned fore of an air intake access whenmoving between the retracted position and the extended position.
 9. Thework machine of claim 6, wherein the boom assembly is absent a row bar,the row bar coupling the boom arms in a direction perpendicular to thefore-aft direction.
 10. A vertical lift boom assembly for a workmachine, the work machine having a mainframe, the vertical lift boomassembly comprising: a pair of boom arms extending in a fore-aftdirection positioned on each side of the mainframe, each boom armincluding a fore portion and a rear portion, the fore portion forcoupling to an attachment; a pair of first vertical lift linkspositioned on each side, each first vertical link coupled to the rearportion of boom arm on one end and the boom assembly pivot on the otherend, wherein the boom assembly is located aft of the operator cab; apair of second vertical lift links positioned on each side, each secondvertical lift link coupled to the rear portion of the boom arm on oneend and an upward portion of the main frame and below a line of sight ofan operator seated in the operator cab on the other end; and a pair ofactuators positioned one each side of the mainframe coupled to the boomarm and the main frame, wherein extension of the actuator lifts the foreportion of the boom arm.
 11. The vertical lift boom assembly of claim10, wherein coupling of the actuator, boom arm, and second vertical liftlink creates a visibility window.
 12. The vertical lift boom assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the first vertical lift link, the second vertical liftlink, and the actuator are positioned below the boom arm when movingbetween the retracted state and the extended state.
 13. The verticallift boom assembly of claim 10, wherein the boom assembly pivotcomprises a double shear joint.
 14. The vertical lift boom assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the boom assembly pivot is commonly positioned with aradial lift boom assembly.
 15. A radial lift boom assembly for a workmachine, the radial lift boom assembly comprising: a pair of upwardextending supports positioned on each side of the main frame and aft ofthe operator cab, each upward extending support fixedly coupled to themainframe at the boom assembly pivot wherein the upper portion of eachsupport terminates below a line of sight of an operator seated in theoperator cab; a pair of boom arms extending the fore-aft directionpositioned on each side of the main frame, each boom arm including afore portion and a rear portion, the rear portion coupled pivotably tothe upper portion of the upward extending support, and the fore portionfor coupling to an attachment, the fore portion following a radial liftpath when the boom assembly moves between a retracted position and anextended position; and a pair of actuators extending in the fore-aftdirection positioned on each side of the main frame, each actuatorcoupled to a lower portion of the support and the fore portion of theboom arm wherein extension of the actuator lift the fore portion of theboom arm.
 16. The radial lift boom assembly of claim 15, wherein thepair of actuators and the upward extending supports are positioned belowthe boom arm when moving between the retracted position and the extendedposition.
 17. The radial lift boom assembly of claim 15, wherein thepair of actuators and the upward extending supports are positioned foreof an air intake access when moving between the retracted position andthe extended position.
 18. The radial lift boom assembly of claim 15,wherein the boom assembly is absent a row bar, the row bar coupling theboom arms in a direction perpendicular to the fore-aft direction.